WRC 2023

[DC.]

With Monte Carlo and the start of the 2023 season fast approaching the test videos have appeared this week.

Ogier:


Tänak:


Sordo:

 

[Graham]

Local interest with Josh and William in Phil Case ran Hyundai Rally2's and Eamon Boland in a C3 Rally2.

 

[KevM]

The Puma looks a bit more hooked up on the front axle in the test vids. It might actually work this year lol

 

[DC.]

At least we’ll know what it can really do this year with Tänak behind the wheel.

Unfortunately I think M-Sport will get out-developed by Toyota and Hyundai.

 

[cauld1]

Was still a rally winning car last year too!

But yea, without full factory backing it'll still be a battle for development. Saying that MSport with Ogier managed it not that long ago.

 

[Graham]

M-Sport have the biggest global customer base for selling new cars and parts too. Surely, with a 2nd & 3rd driver bringing a purse to the Rally 1 drive, as a company they'd possibly have a similar budget to Toyota?

Hyundai have Korean money as well as a good share in Rally2 sales, i i'd guess have the biggest chance to spend on development.

 

[DC.]

At the end of the day M-Sport are a privateer team with some manufacturer help whereas Toyota are one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world. M-Sport could barely afford to test before rallies last year never mind anything else.

Tänak won’t be long finding out the limitations of the car so will be up to M-Sport to put it right.

I’d love to see Tänak win often and he’ll be the one I’ll watching as the stagetimes roll in.

 

[KevM]

I’d love to see Tänak win often and he’ll be the one I’ll be watching roll .

#fixedthatforyou

 

[cauld1]

#fixedthatforyou

I thought M-Sport have got shot of the crashy drivers?

Hopefully Tanak has that tendency out of his system too

 

[KevM]

I think the mix of M-Sport team pressure, budget constraints and over-driving to keep up with the 'big two', have the ability to make any driver (Ogier aside) a bit 'crashy' lol.

 

[DC.]

I don’t think Tänak will worry about team pressure. It’s wins he’s after for himself.

 

[cauld1]

I don't think any of the above would've made a difference on Greensmiths ability to stack a car tbh

Breen, we shall see with Hyundai again, albeit a limited programme. Fourmaux was disappointing last year too.

Loeb was the only one who was convincing in that car, but then again he's the best (in my opinion).

 

[KevM]

Loeb binned one too! lol

 

[FM155]

Tanak has a big point to prove, he was great to watch last year chasing Kale for the title but the car wasn't there with him.
Being a world champ, he has the confidence in himself and the previous relationship with M-Sport to get things going in the right direction. Lets face it, the future of M-Sport is very important to rallying as there really wouldn't be a viable manufacturers championship without them. (Only 2 manufacturers..)

 

[cauld1]

Loeb binned one too! lol

Still less than pretty much every bloody event he entered like the others

 

[RallyCiaran]

Tanak in Finland last year was sensational.
The car was horrible and he able to drive it on the very ragged edge.

If M-Sport are fully dedicated to making the Puma handle just how he wants it to then he will be a very difficult man to beat.

I think Ogier will win in Monte Carlo.

 

[AidanMcG]

 

[RallyCiaran]

Monte Carlo day, starting to get excited.
Hope the men from the island of Ireland have a good run.

 

[DC.]

Anyone use All Live?

 

[FM155]

Yup

 

[FM155]

Seems to be live on youtube too

 

[AidanMcG]

WRC+ failing to survive two stages without any issues

 

[DC.]

I had no issues which is surprising as everyone else’s seem to crash at the same time as Neuville did.

Ogier is a BOSS

 

[RallyCiaran]

Ogier, 5 stage wins out of 5, he is a machine.
Puncture for Evans on stage 5 so that has taken the heat out of the battle for the lead.

 

[Graham]

There's been a few spills on the stages...